Sectional three-dimensional puzzle



Sept. 16, 1952 I c, M. wELTY 2,610,856

SECTIONAL THREE- IMENSIONAL PUZZLE Filed June 550. 1949 Gttorneg Patented Sept. 16, 1952 UNITED STATES PiATl-ENT OFFICE 2,610,856 SECTIONAL THREE-DIMENSIONAL PUZZLE Cleo M. Welty, Wichita, Kans. Application June 30, 1949, Serial No. 102,255

Claims.

This invention relates generally to the art of sectional puzzles, and more particularly to a puzzle of this type which comprises a plurality of interfitting sections or puzzle pieces of varying shapes which form a three dimensional figurine or the like when fitted together in the proper relative positions.

It is the chief object of the invention to provide a puzzle which is more than a mere amusement device-which is educational in that it teaches a child patience, manual dexterity, and shape perception.

Another important object is to provide sections or puzzle pieces the major portions of which are of like configuration, and all of which are formed to interlock near the center of the figure being formed, yet which vary suiiiciently in radial length and in the configuration of their outer, exposed ends to form a figure of almost any predetermined shape, including the heads and faces of people or animals, complete busts, etc. as well as inanimate objects.

The invention, together with other objects attending its production, will be more clearly understood when the following description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Fig. 1 is aperspective view of a base'plate which constitutes a part of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of two puzzle sections or riser pieces which also constitute a part of the invention;

Figs. 3 and 4 are also perspective views of riser pieces, and show details of construction, Fig. 4 being shown partially in section; and

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a figurine showing the manner in which the various pieces are fitted together to complete the puzzle.

For clarity in illustration and ease in drawing,

the figure illustrated by the assembled pieces is substantially circular in cross section at any elevational plane. It should be understood, however, that shapes of the outer exposed ends of all the puzzle pieces can be made irregular in shape to form a non-symmetrical figure when they are assembled.

The essential elements of any puzzle embodying this invention are the interfitting riser pieces, such as shown clearly in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. I prefer, however, to include a base plate It, intermediate locking plates I l and I2, and a top plate I3, not as absolutely essential elements, but because they improve the assembled puzzle structure.

Base plate The nether surface of the base plate It) lies in a single plane, which enables it to rest solidly on a table top or other fiat support. The upper surface of the base plate is cut away to form a L each of the grooves l5, as shown in Fig. 1.

Riser pieces The riser pieces l6 include a flat substantially sector shaped portion H, which is of a size to complementallyseat in the grooves 15; an integral arcuate locking section I8 which lies in the same plane and is of the same thickness as the base portion l1, and extends laterally across the inner end of the base portion and beyond each of its side edges; and an integral .boss 19 of the same cross sectional size as the bosses M. The length of these riser pieces and the shape of their outermost ends vary with the contour of the figure being formed.

Intermediate locking plates The nether surface of the locking plate H ineludes integral downwardly protruding bosses 28 separated by grooves 2 I. These bosses and grooves are complemental in cross sectional shape to the grooves I 5 and bosses M, respectively, but differ in length and in the shape of their outermost ends according to the contours of the puzzle figure being formed. The upper surface of the plate H is provided'with integral bosses 22 and grooves 23, which are identical in cross sectional shape to the bosses i l and grooves 15, and which vary only in their length and in the shape of their outermost ends. The locking plate 12 (Fig. 5) clearly illustrates the mentioned variation in length and shape of the outer ends of the bosses 22, the outer ends of the upper surface bosses being chamfered upwardly and outwardly.

Top locking plate The top plate i3 has an upper surface of any contour necessary to complete the upper part of the puzzle figure. Its general circumferential size and shape also vary to complete the contours of the figure puzzle. Its nether surface, however, has bosses 24 separated by grooves 25 which are identical in cross sectional size and shape to the bosses 20 and grooves 2| on the nether surfaces of the intermediate locking plates H and I2.

Assembly Withthe base plate I 0 positioned on a flat horizontal support, a riser piece I6 is placed in It will be seen that the arcuate locking section l8 extends laterally and lies in contact with the inner 3 ends of the adjacent bosses l4. Radial outward movement of the riser pieces is thus prevented. Radial inward movement of the riser pieces is prevented by the..complemental fit of the convergingrside walls of the grooves l5 and'xthe complementally converging side walls of the base of each riser piece. Lateral movement of the riseralines with the verticalcenter line of each groove l5, while the vertical center line of each of the newly formed grooves alines withthe vertical center line of eachofthe bosses I4, the upper surface of these bosses in fact forming the central portion of "the bottom of each newly formed groove.

In this mannersuccessive superposed transverse courses of cooperating. riser pieces are laid, theassembled'upper surfacesof the risers in each course "forming aseating surface for the riser pieces'in the next course above. .Such an assembled 'surfacejis clearly'shown'in the lower portion of Fig. '5, "which-includes8 successive riser courses assembled on the base plate 10.

After each.6 or 8courses of riser pieces have beenrbuilt up, an intermediate. locking plate H,

or I2, having the proper exterior contour, is fitted intoposition'on the upper face of the uppermost course. The next riser course is complementall received on the upper surface of the locking'plate, and the laying of successive riser piece courses continues. These intermediate locking plates simply serve to make the assembledffigure more 'rigid-*to more ifirmly lock the previously as- .sembled courses together.

When all the riser pieces; and intermediate locking plates have been'assembled in their proper relative positions; the uppersurface of the'uppermost courseforms a" grooved surface to complementally receive the lower grooved surface .of the top locking plate, and when this 4, plate is placed in its proper :positioma three dimensional figure orfigurine of predetermined-shape will have been'formed.

As previously mentioned, the" various sections ofthe puzzle may 'be'so formed that their exposed surfaces, when assembled in the proper relative positions will form a figure having almost any desired predetermined shape.

Having described: the.:invention with sufiicient clarity to .enablewthoseifamiliar with the art to construct and use it,,I claim:

1. A threedimensionalfigure puzzle adapted 'to'be built up by the. iaying of puzzle pieces in superposed interlocking transverse courses, comprising a base plate, having a plurality of spaced flatra'dially disposed substantially sector shaped bosses on itsupper surface, theinner en'ds-of said bosses terminatingishortofthe centerabout This series of bosses and grooves- '4 which said bosses are arranged; a plurality of cooperating substantially sector shaped riser pieces adapted to be laid in successive super- .posedinterlock-ing coursescnsaid base vplate, the

"base portions of said: risers being flat-and of a size and shape to complementally seat in the respective spaces between bosses on the base plate,

' and the upper portions of said risers being in the formpf: substantially sector shaped bosses identical .in cross-sectional size and shape to the bosses on said base plate, whereby the upper sur- 3' faceiofreach assembled course of riser pieces is substantially identical in circumferential cross sectional configurationto the surface of said base plate, the riser pieces of each course being offset circumferentially with respect to'the respective riser pieces-in the 'course immediately above and below.

2.'The invention described in claim 1, and means carried by'the inner --end of each riser piece for contacting the inner'ends of the adjacent bosses between which the respective risers arelaid,- said means'serving to lock the respective risers :against radial outward movement with respect to the=contacted bosses.

3. "Theinvention-described in claim 1, and 'a cooperating unitary locking plate having-an upper surface identical scircumferential cross sectional configuration to the upper surface of said base plate,.and a lower surface contoured'to re .ceive the bosses .of and to complementally interlock with the .upper surface of anassembled course .of said .riser pieces, said plate being 'adaptedto beinserted between two adjacent courses .of saidriser piecesand to complementally fit the respective contacting upper and lowersurfaces of each of said courses; and to thus increase the stability of thethreeidimensionaI figure-being formed.

4. The inventionidescribed in claim 1, -and a unitary top plate having fai nether surface contoured to receive the bosses of and to complementallyinterlock with. the upper surface of the uppermost course .of :riser 1 pieces 1 in the figure -beingiformedpsaid platahaving. its upper surface contoured-to complete the .exterior top surface of the figure being formed.

-5. In aysectional puzzlega unitary puzzle piece :or section :comprising: @a z'fiat base of constant thickness .which 4 includes :a substantially sector shaped portionzandan' integral wider transverse .arc shaped portionat the small end of thesector;

and an integral-narrower identically oriented substantially sector. shaped :boss located atop the sector shaped; portion of' the. base.

CLEO M. WELTY.

LREF-ERENCES' CITED .IIhe following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED. STATES PATENTS -Number l-Name Date 121,936 -Fisher Dec. .19, 1.1871 1,071,358 Matthews .Aug.":-26, 1913 12,319,914 -Blanding- May 25,.1943 2,475,306 Beder July 5,.1'949 

